Height-adjustable window air conditioner support

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a height adjustable window air conditioner support that is rotatably adjusted to fit between a window air conditioner and a window ledge. In one embodiment, the support consists of two conjoined and threaded plastic cylindrical shafts, each of which, have a support platform on the opposing end.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,173,930; 5,636,816; 5,112,015; 2,628,052; 1,224,127;1,627,241.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None.

SEQUENCE LISTING

None.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to window air conditioners, specifically windowair conditioners that are mounted in windows with a window ledge.

2. Description of the Prior Art and Objectives of the Invention

Window-mounted air conditioners are very common in many older houses,multi-unit buildings, trailers and the like. These window-mounted airconditioners unfortunately frequently require support in addition to thewindowsill. Several attempts in the past have been made to meet thisneed as demonstrated by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,173,930; 5,636,816; 5,112,015;2,628,052; 1,224,127; 1,627,241; among others. While these older devicesperform adequately for their purpose, improvements are still sought. Oneproblem that remains with the prior art devices is that the space inbetween the air conditioners and the windows ledge come in a myriad ofheights. Thus, with the above-mentioned concern, it is an objective ofthe present invention to provide a simple, easy-to-use window support,which adjusts in height so as to fit securely within the majority ofconventional window ledges.

SUMMARY

The invention, a height-adjustable window air conditioner support, canbe adjusted to fit between most window ledges and the air conditioner.The support consists of four pieces, two of which are conjoinedcylindrical shafts that have a support platform on each end. The piecesare threaded and the lower male-threaded piece screws into the topfemale-threaded piece. This is what allows the support to beheight-adjustable. The lower support platform also features a ball andsocket design, which allows the platform to swivel and remain flush inan instance where the air conditioner is not parallel to the windowledge. The support also contains a locking nut that will prevent it fromloosening up due to the vibrations of the air conditioner. In additionto providing the convenience of adjusting to the appropriate height, thesupport also provides a more stable fitting by using an adhered magneton the top support platform to attach to the metal of the airconditioner and a rubber surface on the lower support platform to gripthe surface of the window ledge.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the support extended.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the support collapsed.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the support showing the magnet.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the support showing the rubber grip surface.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the support in use on a window ledge bracing anair conditioner.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a pair of supports bracing a window airconditioner mounted in a window with a window ledge.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the support in use on an angled window ledgebracing an air conditioner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a side view of the support extended. The drawing shows how thetop half of the support 9, 10, 15 unscrews outwards from the bottom half12, 13 to fit various heights.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the support collapsed showing how the top halfof the support 9, 10, 15 screws downward onto the bottom half of thesupport 12, 13 to create the lowest height possible.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the support showing the magnet 11 that isadhered to the top of the upper support platform 10.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the support showing the rubber grip surface14 that is adhered to the lower support platform 13.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the support in use, bracing a window airconditioner 16 that is mounted in a window 18 that has a window ledge17.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of two supports in use, bracing a window airconditioner 16 that is mounted in a window 18 that has a window ledge17.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the support in use, bracing a window airconditioner 16 that is mounted in a window 18 that has an angled windowledge 17. It demonstrates how the ball and socket design 9 allows boththe upper support platform 10 and lower support platform 13 to remainflush with the air conditioner 16 and the window ledge 17.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   9 ball and socket swivel    -   10 upper support platform    -   11 magnetic surface    -   12 lower male-threaded shaft of support    -   13 lower support platform    -   14 rubberized surface    -   15 upper female-threaded shaft of support    -   16 window air conditioner    -   17 window ledge    -   18 window    -   19 locking nut

OPERATION

In operation one uses the support in a normal manner by placing thesupport in between the window air conditioner 16 and the window ledge17. The support, or supports, is then adjusted to the proper height. Theproper height is obtained when the top section of the support 10, 11, 15makes contact with bottom of the window air conditioner 16 and the lowerportion of the support 9, 12, 13, 14 makes contact with the window ledge17. In order to adjust the height of the support the top supportplatform 10 is first placed so that the magnet 11 connects to theunderside of the window air conditioner. The lower support platform 13and the lower portion of the support 12 are then twisted clockwise toraise the height of the support or twisted counterclockwise to lower theheight of the support. This is made possible due to the threading onboth the upper portion of the support 15 and the lower portion of thesupport 12. Once the desired height has been obtained, the lower supportplatform 13 will sit firmly on the window ledge 17 due to the rubberizedsurface 14 attached to it. To ensure that the two pieces do not loosen,the locking nut 19 can be screwed upward to meet the upperfemale-threaded shaft of support 15. If the support is to be used with awindow ledge 17 that is on an angle, or not parallel with the window airconditioner 16, the lower support platform 13 can be angled due to theball and socket swivel 9. The ball and socket swivel 9 allows the boththe upper support platform 10 and lower support platform 13 to remainflush with both the window air conditioner 16 and the window ledge 17due to it's ability to swivel in all directions.

1. A height-adjustable window air conditioner support, comprising: (a) afemale-threaded shaft having a first support platform attached thereto;(b) a male-threaded shaft having a second support platform attachedthereto by a ball and socket swivel, said male-threaded shaft rotatablyengaging said female-threaded shaft to provide a rotatably heightadjustable conioined shaft having said first and second supportplatforms at opposing ends, said first support platform and said secondsupport platform spanning the gap between a window air conditioner and awindow ledge in response to said male-threaded shaft being rotated, and(c) a female-threaded locking nut sized for rotationally enaaging saidmale-threaded shaft and pressing against said female-threaded shaft tolock the male- and female-threaded shafts relative to one another,thereby providing a height-adjustable window air conditioner support. 2.The height-adjustable window air conditioner support of claim 1, whereinsaid first support platform is magnetized.
 3. The height-adjustablewindow air conditioner support of claim 1, wherein said second supportplatform comprises a rubberized surface for engaging said window ledge.4. The height-adjustable window air conditioner support of claim 2,wherein said second support platform comprises a rubberized surface forengaging said window ledge.
 5. The height-adjustable window airconditioner support of claim 1, wherein said male-threaded shaft andsaid female threaded shaft are plastic.
 6. The height-adjustable windowair conditioner support of claim 5, wherein said first support platformis magnetized.
 7. The height-adjustable window air conditioner supportof claim 6, wherein said second support platform comprises a rubberizedsurface for engaging said window ledge.